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Group 3 Gimcrack winner by Demerit

Kiss Bang Love has provided Taunton Vale sire Demerit with his first black-type winner in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) at Ascot.

The Demerit filly cost trainer Russell Stewart a mere $9,000 at the 2016 Perth Magic Millions and is now a $6 second-favourite for the $500,000 G2 Karrakatta Plate on April 1.

Demerit was a top-class sprinter-miler for Sheikh Mohammed. The good-looking son of Lonhro was runner-up to Black Caviar on debut in the LR Blue Sapphire Stakes and returned at three to defeat Manhattan Rain and Starspangledbanner in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).

He went close to winning the Karrakatta last year when his filly Spangled Impact was runner-up to Whispering Brook.

Taunton Vale owner Kent Johnston has an association with the Karrakatta going back 25 years. He stood Dynamo (Sir Tristram) who sired the 1992 winner Dynamic Beau.

“I first saw Kiss Bang Love at the farm when she was a foal and I told Kent she would do me,” Stewart recalled. “Fillies like her don’t come along very often.”

Kiss Bang Love’s dam Vacillare (Trade Fair) was retired straight after winning a Northam maiden in September 2011. Second-dam Body Corporate (Second Empire) won three city sprints for Heytesbury Stud and she was a half-sister to Denmarket (G2 Roman Consul Stakes) & Key Business (LR Placid Ark Stakes).

Demerit’s latest crop of yearlings sold to $145,000 at the Perth Magic Millions last month. Topping his draft was Taunton Vale’s half-brother to stakes winners Showy Chloe & El Rijes purchased by John Chalmers Bloodstock (FBAA).